CD Reviews

Your Passport to Pleasure

Roy B. Quady | Twin Cities, MN USA | 05/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These showpieces provide clear and convincing proof that The Magnificent Maestro Andre Kostelanetz, America's most distinguished conductor of classical, semiclassical and popular music, is Andre The GIANT of BeautifulMusic.Who can resist 16 Kostelanetz favorites carefully chosen from the 1960s and '70s, Kosty's finest years in the recording studio when his producer was jazz legend Teo Macero? I save MY FAVORITE THINGS for the Holiday season. And play BOLERO, which is out of place in this collection, very sparingly because of its overly repetitious hook. All the rest are perfect whenever rich, robust, muscular, moving music is desired, which for me is anytime, anyplace.Kosty had sparkling, unforgettable orchestrations of these popular hit songs written to his exacting standards by outstanding writers such as Eddie Sauter [of Sauter-Finnegan fame], Luther Henderson [now with the Canadian Brass], Dick Hyman, Hugo Montenegro, Claus Ogerman and Mr. Macero, who supervised and edited all arrangements. Teo put pizazz in those dazzzzzzzzzling Wonderland of Sound recordings of the '60s and '70s. The Kosty/Teo team at Columbia Records was an unbeatable combination for nearly two decades.All selections in this album are in Glorious (((STEREO))) for maximum listening pleasure.Please note: I have donated four copies of this CD to public libraries. And I've given it as a gift several times."

A GREAT CLASSICAL AND MODERNIST

RAFA | MEXICO, D.F. Mexico | 08/27/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a wonderful album. It contains the most beautiful melodies Kostelanetz had performed. I enjoy in a very contemporary style the Classical melody RAVEL BOLERO. There is also included and what a great success in Kostelanetz carreer THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM, the main hit from the Broadway production and later Hollywood movie THE MAN OF LA MANCHA. These are the main hits that made Kostelanetz reach not only the top of fame, but also make him stay alive in many hearts, even if he had passed away. If you enjoy romantic and instrumental music, don't forget to add this album to your collection."